Robots are such misunderstood souls. People only think of them as LED-eyed steel-boned puppets that would look out of place in our living rooms with voices that seem to resound from echoing empty hallways. And let’s not forget the bones of steel and wires peeping out of strange places. Their only entry into the art world is in futuristic films, usually as psycho-killers.

Scientists have put all these misconceptions to rest with the introduction of a robot flutist. This classical musician can play tunes, even those as challenging as ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’, so flawlessly that it has classical musicians sweating under the collar. With his black top hat and sad expression, the flutist sits with his flute and makes a great imitation of an artist lost in his own world of melancholy.

Created by Waseda University and titled Waseda Flutist No.4 Refined IV, the robot made its first appearance at the BioRob 2008 conference in Arizona last month. Mimicking perfectly a human’s breathing mechanism during playing, the robot has two air-tight acrylic cases as its lungs. It also has a high speed of 8Hz when it comes to finger movements. Camera-eyes are intended to make the robot more human-like so it can engage with audiences and other musicians. The creators hope to make WF-4RIV perfect enough to enable him to teach music, but perhaps they should begin by giving him a more human-like name. Bob, perhaps.

Via: DailyMail